Bernard Mutambudzi
A visit by the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement has revealed that Auction Floors also want higher prices from tobacco merchants.
Tobacco Sales Floor Limited(TSF), General manager, Mary Machingaidze told the Parliamentary Committee on Wednesday that auction floors also need higher prices.
"We rely on commission from the sale of tobacco, so the more the farmer is paid the higher the commission we get," said Machingaidze.
She said usually prices were determined by merchants and that made it difficult for Auction Floors or Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) to intervene.
She said the role of Auction was to provide a platform for the farmer and merchant to meet.
She welcomed the visit by Parliamentary Committee saying the platform enables real engagement between Government and the farmer.
"Your coming in is a positive direction as that would enable real engagement between the Farmer and the policy makers," she said.
She said TSF had good working relations with the farmer as they had, since last year, technical staff and brand ambassadors to every tobacco farming district where they work hand in glove with Agritex officials.
"Our brand ambassadors coordinate with the farmers to minimize further delays when tobacco is delivered at Auction Floors," she said.
She said those requirements such as grower’s number and bank accounts issues were dealt with at the doorstep of the farmer.
She said since adoption of the program, most farmer who delivered tobacco at their floors faced little delays.
Chief Executive Officer of TIMB, Andrew Matibiri said his organisation had set up offices across the country to work with farmers so that they are fully acquainted with requirements by both TIMB and merchants.
“We want farmers to get good prices from their Tobacco, so we have established offices in tobacco farming regions to be taught on best farming methods," said Matibiri.
He said his organisation wanted the best out of the farmer.
He applauded the Government for coming up with a funding facility after realising that they were experiencing difficulties in accessing funds from banks.
